Eureka’s Isaac Noriega Named to All-SLIAC Second Team

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – For the second straight year, Eureka's Isaac Noriega (Chicago, Ill./Muchin College Prep/Lincoln) has received All-St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors.

The senior center back was named to the All-SLIAC Second Team, the SLIAC announced on Wednesday.

A Third Team selection in 2022, Noriega is now only the fourth player in program history to be selected to the Second Team, following teammate Khalil Alleyne (2022), Cody Halstead (2010) and Brian O'Malley (2009)

A multi-faceted talent, Noriega was as well known for his assertive, physical play in the back line as he was for his playmaking and scoring ability in the open field. In addition to putting the ball in the back of the net, he consistently gave the Red Devils good opportunities to strike on set pieces.

For the second straight year, Noriega led the Red Devils with 11 points, putting away five goals and recording one assist. He matched his goal total from a year ago, giving him 10 in two seasons and putting him ninth in program history.

Among his most impactful goals was an equalizer in a 2-1 comeback victory over Principia. He also delivered the match-winning assist to Alleyne in the 82nd minute.

He produced a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw with Illinois Tech and provided the third goal in a 4-3 non-conference win at Rockford early in the season. He was also responsible for the Red Devils' lone goal against Westminster at the end of the regular season.

On Tuesday night, Noriega gave Eureka a 1-0 lead in the first half against Greenville with a blast off a free kick.

Noriega received SLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career on Oct. 9 after providing strong defense and leadership for the back line in Eureka's dramatic, 2-1 win over Webster.

Freshman Owen Peich (Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich) was Eureka's representative on the SLIAC All-Sportsmanship Team.